‘Just take two liquid bags’: please don’t

[OMGitsnotgood]

I’ve just been browsing a FB travel group relating to our local airport. Someone travelling with hand luggage only was asking how on earth people manage to fit all their toiletries into the allowed size plastic bag and included a photo of all the stuff they had, which would only fit in two bags. More than one person said ‘I just take two bags and put them in separate trays so security doesn’t know you’ve two bags’ Lots of ‘oh wow great idea, I’ll try that’ comments. Unfortunately commenting appears to have been switched off in that thread so I can’t respond. I am guessing the original poster on that thread wasn’t an experienced traveller as they hadn’t considered that they didn’t need 100ml shampoo/conditioner/shower gel etc for a 3 day trip and could decant, they also had non-liquid items in those bags. Lots of good advice helped them get it down to one bag, but the ‘just take two bags’ comments concerned me.
I am a very frequent flier from that airport. I have absolutely no idea how people have managed to get two liquid bags even into separate trays as you are watched like a hawk, the security guys tend to check tbe trays, and I have seen people have second bags taken off them on many occasions. Part of me doubts that people have actually managed this, but even if they have, I definitely wouldn’t recommend it.

I had an. awful vision of inexperienced travellers who are perhaps nervous anyway having toiletries taken off them thanks to some duff advice from a random internet person so thought I’d pop it on here in the unlikely event someone had read that thread, and was planning on doing it without fully thinking it through.

I can’t relate to your angst at all. Go to Gatwick at 7am in July and no one is giving a crap how many liquids bags you take.

Why are you giving this much thought to the actions of complete strangers.

Liquids restrictions are being lifted - all the airports I’ve travelled through in the last month (4 different terminals across 3 airports) you don’t have to take liquids out of your hand luggage. Just nothing over 100mls and make sure any refillable water bottles are empty.

Why are you getting so worried exactly?

I try to get everything into one bag but I do think the rule of one bag is quite unfair on women - ok, I don’t “have” to bring my foundation with me on holiday but I want to because I wear it every day. I don’t even wear much make up so it’s not really an issue but shampoo, conditioner, face wash, moisturiser, make up, toothpaste, it all adds up in space.

Airports are supposed to be scrapping the 100ml limit soon because of smart scanning but it’s taking so long to implement 😭

yes our airport has a mix of terminals with and without scanners. Even when you don’t need to remove liquids, the same rules apply, and cases do get pulled over for a search for breaches. I’ve seen enough tears and upset at people almost missing flights because of hand luggage searches/losing expensive toiletries to want to suggest people don’t heed tbe ‘two bag’ hack. I really don’t care about the unpleasant comments on here if it even helps one person.

I fly about ten or more times a year from various airports and have used two regularly.

I've had to rescan my iPad for daring to touch my kindle in the tray but no one has ever said anything about two clear toiletries bags?!

It's toiletries. Can you hear yourself? Honestly. 🙄

Worry about important things and your own liquids allowance.

Or just get a click n collect to pick up airline. Like I've just done. 6 day hand luggage trip ...

Actually OP if you’re a frequent flyer you might soon find out otherwise. For example Gatwick - it’s all old information on their website but when you go along there now, the signs at security say no restrictions on liquids under 100ml (ie they don’t need to be in a single bag and they can stay in your luggage) and you don’t have to take iPads etc. out of your luggage either.

So, your local FB group might well be people sharing more up to date experiences than yours. And in any case, why is their sharing of their experiences taking 2 bags not as valid as you sharing your experiences of seeing liquids being taken off people? Both are just observations that are no more or less valid than the other.

I have a DD who tends to travel with the entire contents of her (extensive) bathroom cabinet. Last time we flew together I pointed out that they sell shampoo and conditioner and toothpaste in most countries and that we weren't holidaying on the Moon.

She did take the point.

Are you really having awful visions of strangers possibly, but most unlikely having to throw away a bit of shower gel?

Most airports now don’t have restrictions, and even when they did I had no issue with a bag per family member, occasionally two.

Yes things are changing but haven’t fully changed yet. My observations are only two weeks out of date for our local airport (which tbe FB group relates to), having also flown in Jan and am flying again next week so will see if things have changed. Yes the two bag flyers have equally valid opinions, but I don’t like seeing people upset at the start of their holidays for something that could have been avoided.

I buy mine when I get there unless it's really exotic and I don't know the sitch. But last year I bought most things solid as I was travelling with hand luggage only. Soap. Shampoo and conditioner bars. Shaving cream toothprdeodrant and moisturizer were all solid. Only liquid was sun cream

This!

British airports I assume? Coming back is different spending on where you’re flying. Zurich is strict, so are many US airports. And I say that after 4 different countries and 9 different terminals.

I flew in February.

As many containers as you want 100ml or less in size in your hand luggage. (Obviously don't be ridiculous and fill them full of such containers.)

My DD was confused over them double checking my contact len solution as it was exactly 100ml.

Other passengers had their water bottles emptied out.

Not just British. However on the return, liquids were ok but iPads had to be taken out. It’s very variable.

don't spend more energy on thinking about it - who cares. Not your circus, not your monkeys

Wow you’d hate me I do this all the time. It’s not a huge deal

I don’t agree with the ‘only a few days so what do you even need’ thing people say- you’ve found products you like that stop your skin feeling dry, or your hair being a frizzy dry mess, or a feminine wash that makes you feel more human-it’s a pity to be on holiday and forgo that stuff to instead buy a generic (all hair types) shampoo and conditioner and go without your daily routine!!

There is a very simple solution for those who wish to travel with lots of liquids, check your bag!

we just check one suitcase between us, costs the same as two carry ons on easyJet etc and means less hassle boarding as I only have my handbag.

its not sexist either as some suggest because men have to carry daily shaving kit which women do not, and you don’t need make up, certainly not that much for short breaks

Yes I flew last summer out of City Airport in London - no restrictions but flying back home out of Marseille airport there were restrictions. Until everyone has adopted the same rules, it’ll be a pain. I’m inclined to buy things like shower gel at the airport or when we get there as it’s usually the same price as a travel size.

@stayathomer

decant into little bottles then, you can buy them from primark cheaply. I find that hotels provide toiletries though I take conditioner as that isn’t often available

minnienono

ah thanks, I do do that now, although had an interesting issue once where I didn’t label anything and everything was a white cream substance 😅😅😅

Oh you'd hate me OP. I pre-prepare my liquids into several different separate plastic bags as I'm a bit of an organisation freak. Eg. One for makeup, one for shampoo/conditioner, one for toothpaste/toothbrush etc. Never had the slightest issue.